Related Summaries

The SkyCraft SD-1 Minisport is a Czech-designed light sport aircraft that the company says can operate at as little as $12 per hour. The kit version of the aircraft has been around for a while, but a ready-built model is set to be unveiled at this year's AirVenture Oshkosh.

Citing difficulties in the defense market that will likely cancel out improvement in the business aviation market, Goldman Sachs has downgraded Textron's stock to "neutral" from "buy." Textron is the parent company of Cessna Aircraft Co. and Bell Helicopter.

The local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association is organizing an event on June 8 to give free flights to children at the Sawyer Airport General Aviation Terminal in Michigan. The event is part of the EAA's Young Eagles program.

Bombardier's aircraft management arm, Flexjet, says it has seen an 83% rise in demand for its services during the first quarter of 2013 on a year-over-year basis. FlexJet is also planning to hire more pilots as the economy picks up speed. "People are ready to get back to business, and Flexjet takes them there," said Flexjet President Deanna White.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association partnered with Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. to hold a rally to celebrate the more than $150 billion general aviation contributes to the U.S. economy each year. The event was held Thursday at Gulfstream's facility in Appleton, Wis.